I know I've written about the annoyances of being seventeen before, but I'd like to write more about one of those annoyances. The planning for the future during that last year of high school. Its chaotic, trying to piece together all the ways your life will change.
Now some people get out of much of that chaos by simply going to college where they already live, possibly not even moving out of their parent's house. And the more about your life you want to change right after high school the more chaotic it gets. Even a simple move a few cities south can seem insane to someone who is just moving out for the first time. I wish I knew if it was normal to be completely terrified of the future at this stage, but I have no clue.
You have to find a school, which can be chaotic enough, even worse at times when you ask for advice. Everyone has an opinion on what schools are the best ones to go to, which one they think will work for you, but not everyone has the same opinion. If you go to other people for advice there are going to be so many conflicting views that you wont know what to do. And you will regret asking for advice, once the opinions come in. Oh and reading various review sites is even worse, due to excessive use of typos, l33t, trolls, and all other internet bullshit.
Now okay, you finally found a school, despite everyone confusing the hell out of you. Now you have to figure out how to pay for it. Now if you're lucky your parents had some sort of fund for this, or are just rich. But, if you're like me your parents didn't save up a dime for your future education, and don't really have many dimes to offer now. Your family pretty much tells you that you have to live off student loans and whatever scholarships your lazy ass can get. This is where you panic, and plunge yourself into some serious debt. Good luck finding a way to pay for school that doesn't leave you in debt for years and years to come.
So, you've got the money thing figured out? Either you found a rich relative, or got seriously lucky with the scholarships. Or you've just opted for some serious debt. Now you have to find a damn place to live, many schools have dorms, but if the dorms at your chosen school either suck or dont exist you'll need to find a place elsewhere. Finding a place your broke ass can afford, or a roommate that wont kill you, is going to be a pain. You're probably going to end up hating your living situation, just so you know now. Good luck.
Oh and while you're planning all of this you still have to survive that last year of high school. And it will suck. Just understand that you are completely fucked.
Showing posts with label independence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label independence. Show all posts
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Four reasons why 17 is infuriating
Seventeen, nothing wrong with the number, but the age is bullshit. There really is nothing to gain, other than a burning hatred for this segment of your life. People who have been through this understand what I'm talking about. If you haven't had this misfortune yet here's four reasons why that year will be infuriating.
One: Most of the jobs are a year away
If you're seventeen you probably want a job for one of two reasons
1) You either just want your own money so that you can finally get that iPhone or whatever you've been wanting lately
Or
2) You're that desperate teenager who has no idea how they're going to pay for school next year, and figures a shitty job is the best way to attempt to save a bit up
Now I understand that in many states you can start working at sixteen. But pretty much any place short of a shitty summer job requires that you either have graduated, or be eighteen. And if I promise you that you will find an awesome(ISH) job listing, one that sounds like you wont forever hate yourself if you apply, only to find that for no apparent reason it requires one of the two factors that you are still a year away from being able to claim.
Two: You're an adult, but with none of the perks
When you turn seventeen you gain no rights, no privileges.(R-rated movies don't count) But, any and all adults around you expect to act like one of them. Even though you have no real reason to want to be an adult yet, you seem to have to. Something about adulthood being one whole year away makes adults panic. When really, we are still stupid immature highschoolers, leave us our moments of complete immaturity. Those are what make life bearable for the oppressed minors out there.
Three: Stress, stress, and more stress
Senior year, last year to salvage that shitty GPA you have found yourself with. It seems like everyone you know is nagging you about it, how this has to be a perfect year or you are totally screwed. Yeah its pretty bad, but those of you who haven't hit this horrible year yet may be thinking, "At least there's graduation to look forward to, right?" and yes, there is. But between starting the year and graduating there is just another thing waiting to jump out and stress you out. College is next year, finally getting classes you actually want and getting that career you've been dreaming about. But before that you have to go through all the drama of applying for schools, also known as figuring out which places are willing to tolerate your stupid ass. And while your figuring out which schools will take you there is also figuring out how much money people will be dumb enough to give you, applying for scholarships and grants is even more infuriating and stressful than applying for schools. This is due to the fact that your parents never saved a dime for your education, so knowing your luck you will find a school that wants you, that you cant pay for. Seventeen is simply the best year to freak out perpetually because you are trying to prepare to attempt to avoid the real world for a few more years.
Four: That desire for independence
Seems like pretty much every teenager wants to have their own place, and be independent. And at this point its so close, and yet completely impossible. You cant legally get your own apartment you really don't have a chance at decent employment. Oh and there's also the fact that even if you found a roommate who can get the place, and found a job that pays enough for you to get food and your share of the bills, your parents can still tell you you cant move out. You can be as prepared as you want, but they can still force you to stay with them. Yes there is emancipation, but its not exactly free, and it doesn't always get approved. Sadly unless you have those parents that will pretty much let you do whatever you want you're probably just going to have to suck it up.
One: Most of the jobs are a year away
If you're seventeen you probably want a job for one of two reasons
1) You either just want your own money so that you can finally get that iPhone or whatever you've been wanting lately
Or
2) You're that desperate teenager who has no idea how they're going to pay for school next year, and figures a shitty job is the best way to attempt to save a bit up
Now I understand that in many states you can start working at sixteen. But pretty much any place short of a shitty summer job requires that you either have graduated, or be eighteen. And if I promise you that you will find an awesome(ISH) job listing, one that sounds like you wont forever hate yourself if you apply, only to find that for no apparent reason it requires one of the two factors that you are still a year away from being able to claim.
Two: You're an adult, but with none of the perks
When you turn seventeen you gain no rights, no privileges.(R-rated movies don't count) But, any and all adults around you expect to act like one of them. Even though you have no real reason to want to be an adult yet, you seem to have to. Something about adulthood being one whole year away makes adults panic. When really, we are still stupid immature highschoolers, leave us our moments of complete immaturity. Those are what make life bearable for the oppressed minors out there.
Three: Stress, stress, and more stress
Senior year, last year to salvage that shitty GPA you have found yourself with. It seems like everyone you know is nagging you about it, how this has to be a perfect year or you are totally screwed. Yeah its pretty bad, but those of you who haven't hit this horrible year yet may be thinking, "At least there's graduation to look forward to, right?" and yes, there is. But between starting the year and graduating there is just another thing waiting to jump out and stress you out. College is next year, finally getting classes you actually want and getting that career you've been dreaming about. But before that you have to go through all the drama of applying for schools, also known as figuring out which places are willing to tolerate your stupid ass. And while your figuring out which schools will take you there is also figuring out how much money people will be dumb enough to give you, applying for scholarships and grants is even more infuriating and stressful than applying for schools. This is due to the fact that your parents never saved a dime for your education, so knowing your luck you will find a school that wants you, that you cant pay for. Seventeen is simply the best year to freak out perpetually because you are trying to prepare to attempt to avoid the real world for a few more years.
Four: That desire for independence
Seems like pretty much every teenager wants to have their own place, and be independent. And at this point its so close, and yet completely impossible. You cant legally get your own apartment you really don't have a chance at decent employment. Oh and there's also the fact that even if you found a roommate who can get the place, and found a job that pays enough for you to get food and your share of the bills, your parents can still tell you you cant move out. You can be as prepared as you want, but they can still force you to stay with them. Yes there is emancipation, but its not exactly free, and it doesn't always get approved. Sadly unless you have those parents that will pretty much let you do whatever you want you're probably just going to have to suck it up.
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